Bio Agents & Threat Definitions
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. View Further CDC Info on Anthrax
Botulism
Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a toxin made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. There are three main kinds of botulism: Foodborne botulism occurs when a person ingests pre-formed toxin that leads to illness within a few hours to days. 1) Foodborne botulism is a public health emergency because the contaminated food may still be available to other persons besides the patient. 2) Infant botulism occurs in a small number of susceptible infants each year who harbor C. botulinum in their intestinal tract. 3) Wound botulism occurs when wounds are infected with C. botulinum that secretes the toxin. View Further CDC Info on Botulism
Cyanide
Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms. Cyanide can be a colorless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN). Cyanide sometimes is described as having a “bitter almond” smell, but it does not always give off an odor, and not everyone can detect this odor. Cyanide is also known by the military designations AN (for hydrogen cyanide) and CK (for cyanogen chloride). View Further CDC Info on Cyanide
Mass Trauma
Mass trauma is the term used to describe the injuries, death, disability, and emotional stress caused by a catastrophic event, such as a large-scale natural disaster or a terrorist attack. When mass trauma occurs, CDC helps state and local health departments in responding. This site is designed to provide information and tools to help the public, public health professionals, and clinicians prepare for and respond to mass trauma. Materials will be added as they become available. View Further CDC Info on Mass Trauma
Radiological Emergencies
Radiation is a form of energy. It comes from man-made sources such as x-ray machines, from the sun and outer space, and from some radioactive materials such as uranium in soil. View Further CDC Info on Radiological Emergencies
Ricin
Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste left over from processing castor beans. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. It is a stable substance. For example, it is not affected much by extreme conditions such as very hot or very cold temperatures. View Further CDC Info on Ricin
Sarin
Sarin is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to certain kinds of pesticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides. Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the environment. View Further CDC Info on Sarin
Smallpox
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for “spotted” and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person. View Further CDC Info on Smallpox
VX
VX is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to pesticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kinds of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides. VX was originally developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1950s. VX is odorless and tasteless. View Further CDC Info on VX